research has confirmed what most people know but don't practice:
surface level small talk does not build relationships and it is not
great for our happiness levels. The obvious question: if it's not that
good for us, why does it prevail?

and

According to a 2010 study by social anthropologist Kate Fox, in
Britain, more than nine in ten people admit to having talked about the
weather in the last six hours. Around 38 per cent say they've talked
about it in the past hour.

Is this representation of the research correct? Does the research paper represent current consensus on the matter?

If you start with "What exactly is the definition of small talk" the question isn't about a well-defined empiric question. I also see no reason why happiness and relationships should be bundled into one question.
– ChristianNov 4 '16 at 20:23

@Christian the thing is there seems to be a relationship: a person is probably happier if their relationships are better, I am curious if the study took it into consideration.
– CeleritasNov 6 '16 at 7:22